Western Scotland

This is another area which needs to be visited on an overnight tour from Glasgow or Edinburgh. Fort William is at the base of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK (4,409’/1,344mt). The area is used for skiing and ice climbing in the winter and hill-walking and climbing in the summer. Just outside Fort William is Neptune’s Staircase, a series of lock gates that take the Caledonian Canal from Loch Lochy to Loch Linnhe. Many troops trained in this area prior to D-day in World War II. North of Fort William is Drumnadrochit with the Loch Ness Monster Exhibition Centre and Urquhart Castle. Come and see if you can find the monster Nessie. From Fort William you can follow in the footsteps of Bonnie Prince Charlie, who landed at Glenfinnan in 1745. He ended up on the Isle of Skye fleeing after the Battle of Culloden.

Glencoe was the site of the infamous massacre in 1692. The local chieftain MacIan, of the MacDonalds of Glencoe, had been late in taking his oath of allegiance to King William III and was brutally murdered with many of his clan. There is wonderful scenery in the area and it appeared in one of the Harry Potter films. You may recognise the scenery as it was filmed in the James Bond film, Skyfall.

Another place in the west of Scotland is Inveraray Castle, home of the Duke of Argyll. You may recognise this castle because it was used in an episode of Downton Abbey, when Lord Grantham and his family went shooting in Scotland. Just down the road are the Crarae Gardens (100 acres of Himalayan style gardens) and Auchendrain Township Open Air Museum, which gives a flavour of life for the ordinary people of the West Highlands until the late 19thc. Kilmartin has over 150 prehistoric monuments, standing stones and sculptured stones.

Private Tour Rates 2017/2018

Vehicle size

Duration/hours

Passengers

Rate

Car/Sedan

8 per day

up to 3

£600.00

MPV

8 per day

up to 6

£685.00

Large MPV

8 per day

up to 8

£685.00

Minibus

8 per day

up to 12

£ POA

This tour can only be done as part of an overnight tour from either Edinburgh or Glasgow. It cannot be done in one day. Rates are per car/minibus not per person and include your private Blue Badge qualified tourist guide, collection and return to your hotel (alternatives can be arranged), all taxes but not entrance fees to attractions where applicable, parking or meals unless stated. Guides overnight accommodation and meals £120 per night.